Following on from the announcement Leeds United’s Academy was awarded Category One status by the Premier League, there has now been more good news for the Leeds United Foundation.

The Leeds United Foundation’s Girls Regional Talent Club has now received Tier 1 Plus status following this season’s External Verification process, becoming just one of four in the country to do so.

Tier 1 Plus status is reserved for Tier 1 clubs that are seen to be meeting/exceeding criteria over the course of at least two consecutive seasons.

The External Verification process was established to help The Football Association gain more insight into the delivery in Regional Talent Clubs based on Tier Criteria requirements.

The ‘360’ process includes feedback from the clubs, players, parents and workforce, as well as internal FA staff.

The feedback received is graded against Tier Criteria under a series of supporting statements which decides if delivery is considered to be exceeding, meeting, developing or critical.

Clubs receive a final rating for the season which is supported by a Club Performance Report which includes a breakdown of all supporting evidence received.

This season all Regional Talent Clubs were engaged alongside 1564 parents and 382 members of staff.

As well as providing a final end of season rating this process looks to highlight good practice and to provide clubs with valuable feedback in order to help them develop their programme further.

It also serves as a tool in assessing whether a club is in a position to deliver at a higher Tier, whilst it can also serve to demote underperforming clubs.

Speaking about the news, Leeds United Foundation’s development executive Gary Waddington said: "As a Foundation we are extremely delighted that our Girls RTC has been awarded Tier 1+ status.

“This is such an important step for the development of the women’s and girls’ game not only within the city of Leeds but the whole of Yorkshire.

“Our players receive the very best coaching and performance support, and this is a testimony to all staff.

“We set out to gain this status four years ago when it was introduced and this achievement has come from the club’s core values and ambition, ensuring that we have one of the best female player pathways within the country.”